There are times when you need to open a file on your Mac, but the format of that file is only supported by Windows. As a Mac user, you may find yourself in such a situation when you have a .pub file – Microsoft Publisher File. While Mac is a great operating system, it is still unable to open the publisher file on its own. So, if you are pondering how to open publisher files on Mac, keep reading to find the solutions that we have gathered for you.
Can I Open A Publisher File On A Mac?
Yes, you can but not directly. There is no built-in app or features in the Mac OS that can open .pub files, and Microsoft Publisher is not supported for Mac.
Therefore, Publisher files cannot be opened on the Mac directly. So, you need to find other ways, such as online sites or third-party apps, to open publisher files on your Mac.
How To Open Publisher Files On Mac?
On a Mac, you can open .pub files in a variety of ways. Below you will find five of the best ways to open publisher files on your Mac. Each of the methods will be explained to help you understand how you can easily carry out the process.
1. Use Office 2011 For Mac
The latest office app that Microsoft has launched for Mac is the Office 2016. Many Mac users are using the Office 2016 version on their MacBook and Mac PC. But even with the office 2016, publisher files cannot be opened on Mac.
However, you can open publisher files on Mac if you have the Office 2011 version. The Office 2011’s Word App has the publishing layout view feature that allows you to open any .pub file in publisher layout format.
In order to open the Office 2011 in publishing layout, an RTF file is required. So, even with the Office 2011, you cannot open publisher files directly on your Mac.
First, you will need to convert your .pub file to an RTF file, and then you will be able to open the file in the Word App of Office 2011 with publishing layout. Your publisher file can be turned into RTF format with an online converter.
If you already have Office 2011 installed, it wouldn’t be so hard to open publisher files on your Mac.
2. Use LibreOffice App
LibreOffice is an open-source office suite that supports numerous operating systems that includes Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. LibreOffice Viewer is developed for Android devices.
Downloading the LibreOffice App on your MacBook or Mac PC doesn’t cost anything.
Following these simple steps will give you LibreOffice on your Mac and access to the publisher file:
- Go to LibreOffice Website
- Select “Download” and then click on the “Download” LibreOffice” option.
- You will be taken to the download page, and here you will have to choose your operating system (Mac OS X).
- To begin downloading, click on the Download button and wait for complete.
Install it on your Mac once the download is complete. After the installation is done, choose the publisher file you want to open and choose to open it with LibreOffice. Now, easily view your publisher files on your Mac.
3. Convert PUB to PDF Online
You can find many free online converters on the internet that can convert your PUB files into PDF or any other format you wish.
By converting the file to the format of the respective app on your Mac, you will be able to open it easily. Opening .pub files on your Mac is really easy with this program.
For example, you can convert your PUB file into PDF and then open it the Preview or Adobe Reader. Of course, you will need internet to perform the converting process online.
The amount of time it takes to convert a PUB file to a PDF file online depends on the size of the file and the speed of your internet connection.
Follow these steps to convert your PUB file into a PDF file online and open it on your Mac:
- Go to a free converter website where you can turn PUB into PDF.
- You will see an option to “Upload or Choose File” on the website. Select it.
- Upload the publisher file you want to convert and select the format you wish it to become (PDF or any other format)
- To start converting the PUB file to PDF file, click on the Convert button.
- After the alteration is done, open the converted file on your Mac with Adobe Acrobat Reader or Preview.
Something To Remember: When you convert a PUB file into PDF, DOC, or any other format, the formatting of the file may not remain the same. You might notice that the table, picture, etc., in the converted file are not appearing as same as in the original file. So, if the formatting is essential, then you would be better off using the other methods presented in this article.
4. Ask The Sender to Export the PUB File in Other Format
This method is really easy if you are in contact with the sender or you have a friend with Windows PC. The Microsoft Publisher users can export publisher files to PDF, HTML, or XPS Document. They can also change the file type and save it for Photo Printing or Commercial Printer.
You just have to contact the sender and ask him to export the file to a Mac suitable format in Microsoft Publisher. Then, the person can send the converted file to you through email, and your Mac will be able to open all publisher files. This method is really easy if you are in contact with the sender or you have a friend with Windows PC. The Microsoft Publisher users can export publisher files to PDF, HTML, or XPS Document. They can also change the file type and save it for Photo Printing or Commercial Printer.
You just have to contact the sender and ask him to export the file to a Mac suitable format in Microsoft Publisher. Then, the person can send the converted file to you through email, and you will be able to open it on your Mac.
Another easy solution is to ask your friend with a Windows PC to help you export all the publisher files into PDF, HTML, or XPS. So, you will be able to open all the publisher files on your Mac system.
However, if you are not able to contact the email sender and don’t have a friend with a Windows PC, you can try the Online Convert method. You can turn your PUB file into PDF online and open publisher files on your Mac.
5. Windows VM
You can run Windows virtual machines on your Mac system using Windows VM. It is the solution for any issue that arises on Mac for not being the Windows. It can access and read the files that were created in Windows.
Running a Virtual Machine is like using a separate computer on your Mac. This allows you to run any kind of operating system, and Windows is one of them. Once you equip your desktop with a Virtual Machine, then you can install and run Publisher as Windows users do.
You can easily run VMs on your Mac using: Virtual Box, Parallels, and VMWare.
6. Boot Camp
You can also run Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp. When you are booting your PC, this allows you to choose either Mac OS or Windows. So, when you have publisher files that you need to open, you can just boot into the Windows environment and view your files without any issue.
While this option may seem a little much for the issue at hand, it is still a good idea if you regularly need to open publisher files on your Mac.
Conclusion
This is how you open publisher files on a Mac. Some options described above are really easy to perform, while others are a bit tricky. Depending on your needs, you need to decide which method is best for you. If you need to open a publisher file once in a while, then the ideal option would be the Online Converter. And for someone who needs to open such files regularly, the LibreOffice would be a great choice.